1998 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manuals

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Filling Your Tank
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
6-5

The cap is behind a hinged door on the right side of
your vehicle.
To open the fuel door, pull the fuel access handle on the
floor by the driver’s seat.
The remote fuel filler door release can help keep your
fuel tank from being siphoned. Always be sure the fuel
door
is closed and latched after refueling.
A
While refueling, hang the tethered cap inside the
fuel door.
To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
6-6

A CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and
is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in
the Index. When
you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear
a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left
off or
improperly installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. See “Malfunction
Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your retailer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not
fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
0 Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
0 Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in
a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling
is complete.
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
A "P 3N:
&I - --
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto
a hot engine.
6-8

Hood Release
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and imnortant
arts under the hood.
To open the hood, first pull
the
HOOD release handle
inside the vehicle.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the filler caps are on
properly. Then just let the hood down and close it firmly.
Then go to the front
of the vehicle and push the
secondary hood release down
to lift the hood.
6-9

2.4L (CODE T) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E Brake Fluid Reservoir
G. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
1. Battery

3100 (CODE M) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
I
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap D. Engine
Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir
G. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Battery
6-11

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If your vehicle is equipped
with the
3 100 engine, you
have a CHECK
OIL light
on the instrument panel.
If the CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Check
Oil
Light” in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be
warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
2.4L Engine
The dipstick handle for the 2.4L engine is located
behind the engine.
6-12